The Globe and Mail reports in its Wednesday edition that Aspect Biosystems is bolstering its partnership with Novo Nordisk to make 3-D printed live tissue implants for treating Type 1 diabetes. The Globe's Sean Silcoff writes that Aspect signed a development deal in 2023 with Novo after demonstrating its implants could treat diabetes in rodents. The deal gave Novo an exclusive right to develop as many as four products to treat diabetes and/or obesity with Aspect's technology. The deal could be worth $2.6-billion (U.S.) to Aspect, including up to $650-million (U.S.) per product in milestone payments and royalty earnings from Novo product sales. Novo provided $75-million (U.S.) upfront for Aspect's research and development, and gained an ownership stake. Aspect has expanded its partnership with Novo, acquiring rights to key biological components for its treatments, including stem-cell-derived islet cells. Islet cells, produced by the pancreas, produce insulin and are destroyed by the immune system in individuals with Type 1 diabetes. Aspect will lead the development, manufacturing and commercialization of its product, while Novo retains unspecified rights to participate in later-stage development and commercialization.